Hip Hop star Jay-Z is to play a one-off intimate' solo concert in London, it was announced today.

The 39-year old rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is to perform at Camden's Roundhouse on September 17th in front of just 3,500 fans.

The singer will unveil several songs from his upcoming album the Blueprint 3, at the gig taking place a day before he begins two nights with Coldplay at Wembley Stadium.

Promoters Live Nation said that surprise performers at the Roundhouse show were likely.
Jay -Z is married to the singer Beyonce, his new single Run this Town' features his proteges Kanye West and Rihanna, and the star regards Coldplay's Chris Martin as a close friend.”

A Live Nation spokesman said: “It will be an intimate show and there may well be some special guests.”

The New York-born star is one of the biggest selling hip hop artists in the world over the last decade - he has sold more than 40 million albums across the world and won seven Grammy awards.

His fans include US president Barack Obama who asked him to perform at his inauguration party.
He further raised his profile in Britain last year after becoming the first rapper to headline Glastonbury.

The solo performance was lauded by critics and followed comments by Noel Gallagher that he should not have been picked to headline the festival due to its rock and indie roots.

In an interview this weekend Jay-Z he said of the performance: “What a fantastic time. It's a career-defining moment, like winning the first Grammy. It just felt like a barrier being broken and for the good.”

On September 11th, Jay-Z is holding a charity concert in New York's Madison Square Gardens in which all money raised it to go the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund.

The spokesman added: “The London show is just a few days after the 9/11 anniversary and the special concert he is holding at Madison Square Gardens. The anniversary is obviously something that is very close to his heart as a New Yorker.”

Tickets costing £50 go on sale at 9am this Friday at www.livenation.co.uk